Updated

Amaravati (AP), Oct 23 (PTI): Political selfishness led to the hasty division of Andhra Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today accusing Congress of "spreading poison", instigating youth and creating tension between AP and Telangana.

Laying the foundation stone for the new capital, the Prime Minister exhorted people of both the states not to fall prey to lies and disinformation that could fuel tension between Andhra and Telangana.

"For some people's political selfishness, Andhra Pradesh was bifurcated in haste without properly carrying out the process of proper consultation. I can even today feel the pain of those innocents who lost their lives and suffered loss to property in this episode.

"The British left behind such things due to which there is tension in the country even today. The previous government did something that due to which everyday there is tension created," he said addressing a gathering here.

The Prime Minister assured the people that Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act will be implmented in 'letter and spirit' within the stipulated timeframe.

Modi accused the previous Congress-led UPA government of trying to sow the seeds of permanent problem between the two states and urged the people to move forward in the "true spirit and soul of Telugu".

"Those people who while bifurcating Andhra and Telangana have attempted to sow the seeds of a permanent problem, they are even today adding fertilizer to create poison, create illusion and are trying to play with the emotions of the youth," he warned.

Citing the example of creation of three new states --- Uttarkhand, Jharkhand and Chattisgarh---during Atal Bihari Vajpayee's tenure where there was no conflict, Modi said he was attempting to do the same now so that there is no problem or bloodshed between the people of the two states.

"The previous government has done a lot of such things that a lot of time and energy of this government is going into undoing and setting them right. But I assure Centre's support to both the states and the Government of India will always stand by and support you," he said.

The Prime Minister said he alongwith Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu will fulfil the dreams and aspirations of Andhra Pradesh and take it to greater heights by expediting the development process.

"I want to assure the people of Andhra that Government of India will implement the provisions of the Reorganisation Act in letter and spirit. I have come here to assure you that the Narendra Modi and Chandrababu Naidu duo will fulfil all the dreams and aspirations and the issues agreed upon within the stipulated time frame," he said.

Earlier Report

PM lays foundation stone for Andhra capital Amaravati

Vijayawada, Oct 22 (IANS): History was made in Andhra Pradesh on Thursday with Prime Minister Narendra Modi laying the foundation stone for new state capital Amaravati near here.

Amid chanting of Vedic hymns by priests, Modi along with Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu performed 'puja' and the associated rituals to formally lay the foundation stone of what is being promised a 'world-class' and 'people's capital'.

Andhra Pradesh Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan, Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, Tamil Nadu Governor K. Rosaiah, Assam and Nagaland Governor Padmanabha Acharya, central ministers M. Venkaiah Naidu, Ashok Gajapathi Raju Nirmala Sitaraman, Y.S. Chowdary and Bandaru Dattatreya also participated in the rituals.

Japan's State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) Yosuke Takagi and Singapore's Second Minister for Trade and Industry S. Iswaran also participated in the ceremony watched by thousands of people.

The prime minister unveiled a pylon. He flew into Uddandarayunipalem in Guntur district in a helicopter from Gannavarm Airport in Vijayawada, where he arrived by a special aircraft from New Delhi.

Naidu and central ministers received Modi at the airport. Modi was greeted by Naidu'ss wife Bhuvaneswari, son N. Lokesh and daughter-in-law Brahmani when he reached the venue.

The prime minister went around Amaravati Pavilion, a special exhibition arranged to highlight the glorious dynasty of Amaravati and the plans to develop the world-class capital.